© 


REPORT 


OF  THE 


BOARD  OF  iMANAGERS 


FREE  PRODUCE  ASSOCIATION 


OF  FRIENDS,  OF 
NEW-YORK  YEARLY  MEETING. 


#     1  852. 


nOLLINS,  BOWNE  &  CO.  PRINTERS, 
stationers'  hall, 
Xos.  174  and  176  Pearl  Street. 


OF  THE 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


REPORT,  &c. 


The  managers  of  the  Free  Produce  Association, 
in  a  retrospect  of  the  past  year,  feel  that  however 
small  the  results  of  their  action  may  appear,  and 
however  slight  the  visible  growth  of  the  principles 
of  the  Association,  that  the  duty  of  individual 
faithfulness  is  in  nowise  lessened  ;  and  that  how- 
ever many,  of  whom  better  things  might  be  ex- 
pected, may  fail  to  uphold  a  consistent  testimony 
against  the  ^oot  and  offspring  of  Slavery — the 
refusal  to  partake  of  the  fruits  of  unrequited  toil 
— such  remissness  can  be  no  excuse  for  others ; 
for  "  To  him  that  knoweth  to  do  good  and  doeth 
not,  to  him  it  is  sin." 


In  order  to  circulate  correct  information  and 


E 

revive  an  interest,  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
prepare  tracts  on  the  subject.  One,  entitled 
"Slavery  and  the  Slave  Trade — Who  is  Responsi- 
ble ?"  was  issued  last  winter,  the  free  circulation 
of  which  has,  it  is  hoped,  been  doing  a  silent 
work  of  good. 


This  would  have  been  followed  by  others,  had 
not  the  attention  of  the  managers  been  impera- 
tively called  in  another  direction.  In  our  last 
report,  we  alluded  to  the  small  patronage  which 
the  Free  Produce  Store  in  this  city  was  receiving, 
and  the  necessity  of  a  more  active  and  efficient 
support,  to  ensure  its  continuance.  This  has  not 
been  realized.  Our  friend,  R.  L.  Murray,  in 
second  month  last,  informed  us  that  that  patron- 
aire  had  not  extended,  and  that  the  business  of 
the  past  year  had  not  only  yielded  no  remunera- 
tion for  his  own  time,  but  had  not  even  been 
sufficient  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  store,  and 


3 


that  he  would  therefore  be  compelled  to  relinquish 
it.  He  informed  the  meeting  however,  that  his 
foreman  was  desirous  of  conducting  a  general 
grocery  business,  for  wliich  purpose  he  had 
friends  who  would  employ  him,  and  supply  him 
with  some  capital,  being  himself  without  means ; 
and  that  he  would  connect  the  Free  Produce 
business  with  it,  if  the  managers  would  furnish 
two  thousand  dollars,  on  interest,  as  assistance  in 
carrying  on  that  branch. 

Being  a  man  of  good  qualifications,  worthy  of 
entire  confidence  and  well-fitted  for  the  work, 
acquainted  a*iso  with  the  sources  of  supply  which 
were  open  to  R.  L.  Murray,  the  managers  felt 
satisfied  that  this  was  the  best  arrangement  they 
could  make  in  order  to  secure  a  supply  of  Free 
Labor  goods ;  the  experience  of  R.  L.  Murray, 
having  demonstrated  that  a  store  for  the  exclu- 
sive sale  of  these  goods  on  a  liberal  scale,  having 


4 


a  full  assortment  at  low  prices,  cannot  for  the 
present  be  maintained  here. 

Deeply  regretting  the  necessity  for  this  change 
in  the  manner  of  conducting  the  business,  the 
managers  appointed  a  committee  who  have  raised 
the  requisite  amount,  and  have  concluded  the 
arrangement  with  the  individual  alluded  to.  The 
managers  are  glad  therefore  to  be  able  to  report 
that. a  larg^  assortment  of  Free  Labor  articles, 
both  dry  goods  and  groceries,  may  still  be  obtained 
at  the  former  place,  No.  86  Pearl  Street,  of  E. 
Towne,  Agent.  It  is  due  to  E.  Towne,  also  to 
add,  that  the  greater  portion  of  his  time  will  neces- 
sarily be  devoted  to  this  branch  of  his  business, 
and  riiuch  more  invested  in  it,  than  the  amount  fur- 
nished him  by  the  managers.  We  hope,  there- 
fore, he  will  be  liberally  sustained  by  all  the 
friends  of  the  cause.  The  store  will  be  well 
supplied,  as  heretofore,  with  a  choice  selection 


5 


of  teas,  coffee  and  other  articles  which  have  no 
connection  with  slave  labor. 

The  lively  interest  in  this  cause  which  has 
been  felt  by  our  friends  in  England,  appears  to 
spread.  Tiie  free  cotton  of  our  southern  States  is 
still  very  much  wanted  by  them.  It  is  accessible 
to  us,  and  in  increased  quantities ;  and  they  are 
still  looking  to  us  for  it.  Sliall  they  in  vain  look  to 
us  for  assistance  in  this  matter  ?  Shall  we, 
without  an  effort,  allow  the  free  cotton  of  small 
proprietors  to  be  mixed  up  and  lost  amongst  the 
vast  produce  of  Slave  labor  ;  or  shall  we  not 
rather  lend  our  aid  to  select  and  keep  distinct 
this  produce  of  free  labor,  and  hold  it  up  before 
the  world,  and  honor  it  by  the  marked  preference 
of  freemen  ?  By  so  doing,  we  should  be  carry- 
ing out  our  own  principles,  and  at  the  same  time 
be  giving  that  substantial  encouragement  to  the 
productions  of  free  labor  which  would  both  insure 


6 


an  increase,  and  be  a  solace  to  the  friends  of 
freedom  in  the  regions  of  Slavery. 

At  one  time  in  the  history  of  this  country 
Slavery  was  unprofitable,  because  there  was 
comparatively  little  demand  for  the  produce  of 
Slave  labor ;  and  many,  even  in  the  southern 
States,  were  looking  to  its  early  abolition.  But  sub- 
sequent facilities  in  the  preparation  of  cotton,  ma- 
terially lessened  its  cost,  and  it  soon  became  the 
cheapest  article  that  could  be  had  for  human 
clothing.  Hence,  a  great  demand  has  sprung  up 
for  it.  Its  cultivation  innnediately  became  profit- 
able, and  it  opened  a  vast  and  unexpected  field 
for  the  employment  of  Slaves.  A  change  has 
consequently  come  over  the  people  of  the  slave- 
holding  States,  in  relation  to  Slavery  ;  now  they 
cling  to  that  which  once  they  deplored  ;  and  the 
maintenance  of  every  branch  of  this  system — 
hateful  as  it  is,  and  so  steeped  in  ignorance,  de- 


gradation  and  cruelty — appears  to  be  regarded 
by  them  as  of  even  greater  importance  than  the 
union  of  our  common  country.  Like  the  noisy 
worshippers  of  the  silver  shrine,  who  cried  out, 
'*  Great  is  Diana  of  the  Ephesians,'"  politicians 
of  the  present  da}-,  and  others,  "  who  by  this 
craft  gain  their  wealth,''  shout,  with  pretended 
patriotic  zeal,  "  Union  !  Union  ! — Slavery  !  Sla- 
very !"  as  though  Slavery  were  Union,  and 
Union  Slavery  ! 

What  has  produced  this  wonderful  change  ? 
What  but  the  demand  for  the  labor  of  slaves,  and 

9 

the  self-interest  and  covetousness  growing  out  of 
the  vast  traffic  therein  ? 

Surely  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  a  general 
rejection  of  the  produce  of  Slavery,  so  as  to 
make  the  craft "  unprofitable,  would  soon  open 
the  eyes  of  its  worshippers,  and  even  of  slave- 


8 

holders,  to  its  iniquity ;  and  instead  of  the  pre- 
sent disgraceful  outcry  in  favor  of  slavery,  he 
would  be  regarded  as  the  wisest  and  greatest 
patriot  who  should  be  able  to  suggest  the  best 
and  most  practical  means  for  its  extinction. 

It  appears  to  us,  therefore,  very  important  that 
•every  bale  of  free  cotton  which  can  be  obtained, 
should  find  a  ready  market,  in  preference  to  that 
which  is  the  product  of  Slavery.  Were  this  the 
case,  the  quantity  would,  doubtless,  rapidh;  in- 
crease,  until  whole  Counties,  perhaps  even  States, 
would  be  gradually  transferred  from  tlie  grasp 
of  Slavery  to  that  of  freedom.  And  did  that  love 
to  God  and  to  our  brother,  which  our  holy  re- 
ligion enjoins,  have  full  and  free  course  in  our 
hearts,  this,  it  is  believed,  would  be  realized. 
But  how  many  of  us,  "while  hugging  our  own 
rich  blessings  to  our  bosoms,  forget  those  who 


9 


have  no  such  blessings,  but  are  compelled  to  em- 
brace misery  and  hopeless  wretchedness." 

Towards  those  who  differ  from  us  in  sentiment, 
we  wish  to  exercise  that  charity  which  "  suffereth 
long  and  is  kind;"  and  in  conclusion,  we  have 
only  to  desire  that  such  may  examine  the  subject 
in  the  light  of  truth,  in  which  case  we  believe  they 
would  find  a  work  to  do,  in  clearing  their  own 
hands  from  this  enormous  evil.  "  Happy  is  he 
who  condemneth  not  himself  in  that  thing  which 
he  alloweth."' 

New-York,  ^th  month  24th,  1852. 

Signed,  by  direction  and  on  behalf 
of  the  Board  of  Managers, 

ISAAC  H.  ALLEN, 

Secretary. 


10 


LIST  OF  MEMBERS. 


l~)pVnT  Tn'VATWAIV 
X-ZXli  V  Llij,       vrl^  A  1  XI  Ai>  • 

x^iiiJNj    VV  ILiljlAiVi. 

7~)T7vnT  TVTapv 

Atti.'tvt    r«4  4r<  rT 
X\.JLiljliJNj  1&AAL«  J.X. 

T^wnT  TJtttti 

J-Zii  V  UIj,  XVUXfl. 

2jl  ±t  i\  U  xj  U  J    X  xlvJiuAO. 

Tlr>T)t71MT'Mn     Ssl  T 
XyU  W  i\  iiN  It,  kJlLjAo. 

RAT?Tn"M    A  P5P.V  Tanf. 

TiAwvn    Wtttta'at  P 
J3Aii.ii.rirt}    vv  iXiijiAiiJ.  i  • 

JjAIIIOjNj  JUblAH. 

I;  II:.LD,  JOolAil. 

Batty,  Joel. 

Haines,  Jesse  P. 

R 17  A  T       WT  I  T  T  T  A  ■|\T 

JDliiALj    »>  iLii-iLAi\l« 

xxAlNlib,  xvliUraJN. 

Bear,  Eliza  Jane. 

Hatch,  Phebe  W. 

Carpenter,  Richard. 

Hawxhurst,  Phebe  W. 

Chase,  William  H. 

HoAG,  Abigail  R. 

Collins,  Mary  F. 

Hoag,  Elethea. 

Day,  Mahlon. 

HoAG,  Jehu. 

Day,  Mary. 

HoAG,  Mary  C. 

Devol,  Abner. 

HoAG,  Nathan  C. 

Devol,  Hannah. 

Howland,  L.  R.. 

11 


HowLAND,  Robert  B. 
Hull,  Sarah  C. 
Keese,  Elizabeth. 
Keese,  William. 
Knowles,  Benjamin  R. 
Marshall,  Anna  M. 
Marshall,  Edward. 
Meads,  Zenas. 
Miles,  Henry. 
Miller,  Charles. 
Moore,  Jonathan. 
Moore,  Lindley  M. 
Moore,  Mary.^ 
Murray,  Mary. 
murray,r0bert  lindley 
Murray,  Ruth  S. 
Naramore,  Samuel. 
Page,  Amelia. 
Page,  Pelatiah  P. 


Paxson,  Samuel  C. 
Peet,  Beers. 
Post,  Lydia. 
Post,  Stephen. 
Sampson,  Sarah  T. 
Sands,  David. 
Secor,  Ann. 
Shearman,  Hefsa  H. 
Shotwell,  Anna  PI. 
SissoN,  Stephen. 
Southwick,  Jonathan  J. 
Spicer,  Eber. 
Sutton,  Moses. 
Sutton,  Rebecca  H. 
Swift,  Nathan  G. 
Talcott,  Phebe. 
Tatham,  Benjabiin. 
Tatham,  Hannah. 
Tatham,  Mary  Ann. 


12 


Tatham,  Rebecca  C. 
Tatham,  William. 
Titus,  Daniel. 
Titus,  Robert  W. 
Tompkins,  Elijah, 
Underbill,  Sarah  F. 
Wilbur,  Joe,  Jr. 
VVillets,  Ezra. 

Woodward, 


Willets,  Jane  E. 
WiLLETS,  John. 
Willets,  Lydia. 
Willets,  Maria. 
Willets,  Sarah. 
Willis,  Thomas. 
Wills,  Levi. 
Wood,  George. 
Elizabeth. 


